“Opinions
are formed in a process of open discussion and public debate, and where
no opportunity for the forming of opinions exists, there may be moods—moods
of the masses and moods of individuals, the latter no less fickle and
unreliable than the former—but no opinion.” --Hannah
Arendt

Notwithstanding
the proclamations of the main stream media, Barack Obama did not win
the first presidential debate. Neither did John McCain, and for sure,
the American voter did not get a money shot.

First
off, let’s recognize and acknowledge that presidential debates
are not so much “events” but part of a process. One debate,
although illustrative, is not the complete work. It is not unlike viewing
a painting or sculpture in development.

As
for who won round one…it depends who you ask, which poll you choose
to believe, and what you want to believe.

•
Drudge had McCain a big winner with 68% of the 350,000 on line voters.• CBS has 40% for Obama and 25% for McCain• CNN’s on line poll has 67% Obama, 28%
McCain• NBC had 51% for Obama and 28% for McCain

Opinions
are like intimate body parts…we all have them. My view is no more
or less valid that your view.

Frankly,
I thought McCain did better than expected and way better than the main
stream seems inclined to acknowledge. I thought the one “gotcha”
moment may have been the warhorse chastising the neophyte over the significant
distinction between “strategy” and “tactics.”
Obama’s reply that he knew the difference seemed false and was
challenged by his own words. Sadly, no one but a handful of military
types probably even noticed. Rather, the effort to focus on a ‘gotcha’
was probably Obama misrepresenting Henry Kissinger. “Did to/did
not/did to/…oh yeah”

On
the main stream media’s Saffir-Simpson scale, Obama won the “sizzle”
points, and McCain won the “steak” points. Obama (not surprisingly)
demonstrated superior “form” and McCain (again not surprisingly)
demonstrated superior “substance.”

Chris
Ruddy at NewsMax observed “Obama has a subtle, condescending speaking
style…” After, the debate Chris heard a radio call in person
say they listened to the debate on radio and “Obama sounded like
a professor. Americans don’t elect professors president.”
Even Newt Gingrich knows that.

In
1984, Republican Ronald Reagan, in a superb riposte to concerns that
he might be too old for a second term in office, remarked, "I am
not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and
inexperience." Sen. McCain apparently has no such intention, repeatedly
calling Obama naïve and untested. I lost count of the direct and
indirect McCain references to Obama as “naive,” not understanding,
or rookie perceptions.

When
McCain attacked over Obama’s stated intent to sit down with Iran’s
nutjob president “without preconditions” he said it was
“not just dangerous, that’s naïve.” However,
notwithstanding previous declarative statements, now apparently Obama
is equivocating (kinda/sorta/maybe a little) and acknowledging the needs
for “process” and conditions. However, he then reiterated
that he reserved the right “as president” to talk to whomever
he wanted, whenever, he wanted…begging the obvious…that
he is not President yet….

After
the debate I predicted there would be a quick official statement ripping
Obama for having taken the name Kissinger in vain and misrepresenting
his views. We didn’t have to wait long. Dr. Kissinger responded
through the Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes.

“Henry
Kissinger believes Barack Obama misstated his views on diplomacy with
US adversaries and is not happy about being mischaracterized,”
the email reads. “He says, ‘Senator McCain is right. I would
not recommend the next president of the United States engage in talks
with Iran at the Presidential level. My views on this issue are entirely
compatible with the views of my friend Senator John McCain.” Which
in diplomatic-speak translates to “Yoh Barack! Shame on you!”

I
seriously doubt the debate did anything to change anyone’s opinion
of the candidates.

The
were no major whoopses…unlike Joe Biden’s revisionist history
examples of FDR giving TV pep talks before the technology existed or
Al Gore claiming to have invented the internet. Unlike Sarah Palin telling
Katie Couric she’d “get back to her on that”…the
first presidential debate was frankly pretty professional and buttoned
down. However, as Yogi Berra observed, “It ain’t over ‘til
it’s over.…”

Subscribe to the NewsWithViews Daily News Alerts!

Enter Your E-Mail Address:

The
Presidential wannabe Senators have two more debates in October and their
seconds have one real soon. As previously stated, this was not an event
as much as a component part of a process. There remains external factors
than can, could, and would mitigate whatever does or does not happen
in November. A natural disaster, further financial turmoil, the oil
market, or another terrorist attack and all bets are off…

"Geoff Metcalf is a nationally
syndicated radio talk show host for TALK AMERICA and a veteran media performer.
He has had an eclectic professional background covering a wide spectrum
of radio, television, magazine, and newspapers. A former Green Beret and
retired Army officer he is in great demand as a speaker. Visit Geoff's